Text along path..doesn't work??

I'm sure it's me..but I can't make this work..
I found some easy tutorials online but it just doesn't work.
I tried this in 2.6 and updated to 2.8 and still nada.
I draw a bath with the path tool
I activate a text box and type something (and check the path to make sure it's visible, but even when it is, I can't see it)
then choose "text along path"
and nothing..
on the examples it shows something happen when you hit that, but nada
what am I missing here?

okay it seems I had a problem creating the path.. I needed a straight up and down so I just plopped the path down. But it seems that didn't make it by clicking and dragging. I had to do that, then drag one of the arms to make a "red" line. However, it makes it curved.

Is there a trick to creating a completely vertical path?

basically I'm trying to duplicate the trick in this template:http://binghamtonpmc.org/bhuston/presspa...mplate.xcf
with the red number that goes over the picture.
I'm not sure how they put a text box like that there that is still editable.
when I tried it in 2.6, it just failed. They don't seem to have any paths at all actually.

Though, I just noticed that that feature seems to be broken in 2.8. that template worked in 2.6, but now when I tried to edit that number or do anything to it, it completely destroys the way it is laid out. how can I get text like that in 2.8 on a template that can be edited again?

A vertical path. Straight forward, Make a vertical guide, make sure that snap-to-guides in the view menu is on.
Then for ease, use the path tool in polygonal mode. Click one end & click the other end.
Then it is: Make some text, right click in the text layer and 'text-along-path'
screenshots http://i.imgur.com/3zmYx.jpg

but why not just make your text, then text-to-path and rotate the path.
Whichever way once you have your path you need to stroke it for an outline or make it a selection and fill..
a couple of hints http://i.imgur.com/qBgka.jpg

Right..I actually need it to still be editable, and I'm not sure duplicating an existing one is okay. I'm making this template for some other people to use and generate images as they need be and that would be a step I'd rather not require they duplicate. As it is right now, just about every field and image can easily be clicked and edited with very little trouble except this. I can't figure out how they got editable rotated text like that, I was hoping someone here might know how to do that.

It's clearly a gimp file, but also it's clearly broken in 2.8.. when I edited that XFC in 2.6 I could select that text, type in a new number and it would stay rotated like that. In 2.8 if I touch that number at all it suddenly throws the whole thing horizontal.

Finally had a look at the OP's image and the earlier post about third-party editing.
Not looking good. In Gimp 2.8 you can get back to a text layer for editing after applying a transform but you lose whatever you did.

But this, one if you go into the text dialog and select then it will also revert to horizontal. Also no font because the font is a non-available vertical font and the system will revert to whatever is default.

Using a vertical font, still edits horizontally and to make vertical just drag the text box handles.

I suspect not what the OP is hoping for.

edit: A bit more trial and it might be ok. If the text box is in 'fixed' mode rather than 'dynamic' and you are using a correct font then you can edit those numbers without reverting to the horizontal. Use 'overwrite' mode on you keyboard.
If this is going to be template, send the font with it.